Areas largely untouched by 2019-20 fires including Sydney basin, coastal regions and the Hunter at increased risk, experts warn

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Communities are being urged to prepare for what is likely to be the most significant bushfire season since the 2019-20 black summer fires.

Large swathes of Australia are likely to experience an “increased risk” of bushfires due to forecasted above-average temperatures, decreased rainfall, high fuel loads and changing weather patterns, according to the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (Afac) outlook.